Canadian Blog Awards 2009

I was going to do a post on H1N1, but to be honest....I am just getting "sick" of hearing about it.  ( Ha...Ha...ahem.) 

Anyways, I see that the nominations for the 2009 Canadian Blog Awards are now open and I hope that everyone will make a push for an Alberta blogger.   Personally, I think that there are many top notch bloggers in Alberta that likely do not get "national" attention, so I believe it is important to ensure they do not get missed.

 Bloggers like daveberta, E.S, Werner Patels and DJ Kelly actually peaked my interest and got me off the couch and into this blog, so I am nominating them for the award.  I also love the fact  that there is a "new" batch of bloggers that have joined me this year, including The Alberta Altruist and Politicalgary, each who add a fresh perspective to the local blog scene.  I would not be surprised to see any of the above on the nomination list.

 Anyways, take a minute and nominate your favorite blogs.  It literally takes 20 seconds!

The link is here

Now go wash your hands....


Shane

Truth Be told....I am The Enlightened Savage...( Anyone else?)

Well, not really...

There is a lot of banter today about the true identity of fellow blogger The Enlightened Savage!

While the debate over who the real E.S. is continues, I would hate to see this blog disappear, so.... I will come out and take the fall.

I am also the Enlightened Savage...

I saw a ES Impersonator today at 7-11 buying a slurpee with Elvis... did anyone else catch this?

Is any other blogger out there the Enlightened Savage? Anyone...?

Anders Survives Nomination Challenge in Calgary West

I was not surprised to hear on the weekend that Calgary West MP Rob Anders will not be facing a nomination battle. (Fellow Blogger, The Enlightened Savage, had an excellent post on the background of this story, which can be found here.)

While I am sure that potential challenger Donna Kennedy- Glans will be crying foul after this news, I must say that I feel that the result is fair, given the rules presented. Under the national party rules, there must be at least 2/3 support from the riding members to force a nomination battle. This in itself is a challenge, but I believe it is fair, as the rules were the SAME for all sitting CPC MP's.

Now, I know that group that opposes Mr. Anders has some support, ( they are rumoured to have sold 1000 new memberships) but they appeared to be a little late getting organized. That said, they look to be pretty well run. Take a look at their website and blog and you will confirm that they potentially posed a serious threat.

Once again, voter apathy was likely the culprit here. If the majority of Calgary West members actually cared, they would have sent their mail out back to the party, confirming that they would like a nomination contest. Seeing that they did not get the support required, I can guess one of these things is the cause...

1) Calgary West Loves Rob Anders

2) The group making the most noise/protests about Mr. Anders do not hold CPC memberships. ( or did not open or respond to the party letter. I got mine in Calgary SE, so they were sent out.)

3) Donna's supporters are just not large enough in number to have forced the issue?

4) People in Calgary West just do not care?

5) All of the above.

Blaming the CPC rules is the easy thing to do, but not entirely fair. If there is enough support for change in Calgary West, it will happen eventually. ( And hopefully not to another party. )

Who will be Calgary's Mayor in 2010?

With 18 months to go until the next Calgary municipal election, I am pondering who will be making a run at Dave Bronconnier's mayoral seat? Here are my quick thoughts on some potential challengers...

1) Ric McIver... Common sense alderman. Popular. Organized. Loves the media (and they love him....his soundbites are a breath of fresh air.) A recent fundraiser he held is said to have had over 350 guests. Ric is my 1st choice for mayor, without a doubt.

Odds to Run? 2-1

2) Dianne Colley-Urquhart... Dianne would be an excellent choice should Ric Mciver not make a run at mayor. She is the other "common-sense" alderman and represents her ward well. Timing may be a big factor here, as she will not likely have much success with a split vote against both McIver and Bronconnier.

I cannot see how much further Dianne can go in City politics after 2010. She has probably better suited at a run for MLA, which she would win in a landslide.

Perhaps with the (rumored) pending "retirement" of Ron ( Federal Judge post awaits?) Stevens, she may look at the PC nomination for Calgary Glenmore. Just my thoughts?


Odds? 10-1

3) Al Koenig... Former Police association president. Could not win an alderman seat in 2007. Has a grand total of 4 signatures on an online poll supporting him to run for mayor in 2010. (Not scientific mind you, but pretty funny.)

Odds? Not good.

4) Alnoor Kassam... HMMM... Spent a fortune of his OWN money (close to $1MM) to run against Bronco in 2007. Lesson learned? I hope so.... But seeing that his website is still up and running, you never know!

Odds? 1 Million to 1.. ( no pun intended! )

Here is hoping some fellow bloggers run....

5) The Enlightened Savage... Maybe then we will see the 'mask" come off and find out his/her true identity? The E.S has some sound ideas and is not scared to rock the boat!

6) Jeremy Zhao ... 19 year old U of C Student runs...gets a respectable 8,000 votes. Awesome!

Anyways... it will be interesting to see who starts making noise over the next few months. As long as we get rid of Calgaryrants good friend, Bronco Dave, I will be a happy man!